News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
After a record year with more than 210 thousand gallons of fuel sold, the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport needs to replace its fuel truck.
“The truck is ’92 model, the tank and the pumps and everything are in good shape,” Airport Manager Dean Selby. “The only problem we have is the chassis. It’s worn out. The engine and everything. It smokes so bad and has so many problems with it.”
The Airport board agreed to accept bids Tuesday night to replace the truck chassis, placing the tank and pump on the new structure. Bids will be brought back to the board to decide on the next step.
“That’s probably the single most important piece of equipment we have on site,” Selby said.
In 2020, the Airport sold 210,561 gallons of fuel, an increase of eight percent over last year. Since 2016, fuel sales at the facility have increased more than 28 percent.
Selby said a totally new truck would likely cost in excess of $200,000. Selby said the airport has the option to rent a fueling truck at $1800 per month, but he believed continuing to own the truck made more sense.
“If it’s a 15-year or 20-year investment in that truck, to buy one,” Selby said. “I just think it’s the cheapest way to get into one. If we’ve got the money, it just looks like to me it would be better for us to own the equipment and not be paying somebody a lease payment if we can swing it. We don’t know until I get quotes.”
Selby also asked the board to consider new courtesy cars for the airport. The cars are used by executives who fly in to the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport and go into town to conduct business. Selby said vehicles have broken down in route during several recent trips. The last two vehicles were donated by the municipalities that own the airport.
Selby said he wanted a quality used SUV to help handle equipment and luggage for visiting executives. Board Chair Randy Porter and board member Jeff Young said they would see if either Putnam County or the City Of Sparta had vehicles available.
